We are delighted to announce that the proposal for the COST Action project “Disparities in Surgical Specialisation and Education in Cancer Training (DISSECT)” has been approved. The proposal was initiated by Young ESSO (Y-ESSO), with active involvement of several ESSO members.
DISSECT aims to strengthen cancer surgery education by improving access to training, mentorship, and research opportunities, while introducing innovative methods such as virtual reality and blended learning. The project aligns closely with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, working to reduce inequalities in cancer care.
The project will be chaired by Prof Wim Ceelen, ESSO Board Member, Professor of Surgical Oncology in Ghent University, BE with ESSO as the official grant holder. In addition, Dr Marija Rankovic, ESSO Educational Programme Manager, will serve on the Scientific Committee.
DISSECT will collaborate with major initiatives and organisations, including INTERACT-Europe, the Breast International Group Patient Partnership Initiative (BIG-PPI), the Anticancer Fund Belgium, and the Champalimaud Foundation, among others.
The kick-off meeting of the Management Committee will take place on Thursday, 25 September 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, marking the official launch of the project.
